Three babies die from infection at hospital

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The babies had been cared for in the neonatal unit at the Royal Maternity Hospital in BelfastColm O’Reilly/AP

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All babies in the unit, the biggest in Northern Ireland, have been moved to another area in the hospital Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Martin BarrowHealth Editor

Last updated at 11:32PM, January 20 2012

An investigation is under way after three babies died of an infection at a
hospital in Northern Ireland.

The premature babies had been cared for in the neonatal unit at the Royal
Maternity Hospital in Belfast.

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is normally found in soil,
water, plants and animals and is particularly hamful to those who are
already ill, has been blamed for the deaths. The area where they were being
treated will undergo deep-cleaning after the three remaining patients are
moved.

Admission to the neonatal unit, which treats extremely premature and small
infants, has been restricted and a